Welcome to San Jose State University's American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) student branch's website. Here you will find valuable information regarding the club and its related activities such as events and project funding.

With more than 35,000 members, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the world's largest professional society, principal voice, and information resource devoted to the progress of engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. The purpose of our student branch is to support the success of San Jose State University's aerospace engineering students. AIAA will provide its members with access to events, workshops, club room resources, research projects, socials, and other related activities that will connect students with professionals and help prepare them for a career in the aerospace industry.

AIAA Officers

Hi everyone! My name is Trung Nguyen, and I am your AIAA chairman this year! I’m currently a senior Aerospace Engineering student, preparing to graduate in May of 2018. Ever since my dad took me to airshows when I was young, I’ve always had a passion for airplanes! There’s something about the image an aircraft soaring through the sky that gives me a calm and euphoric feeling. Although I have a fear of heights, I want to overcome it one day and obtain a pilot’s license. My other interests include basketball, playing the guitar, hiking, snowboarding, and trying out new cuisines and restaurants.

When I first transferred to San Jose State University, I felt a little out of place coming into a new city without knowing a single person. However, that quickly changed when I became an active member of AIAA. I started to meet more students with similar interests and career plans, made a bunch of friends, and I finally felt welcomed in this community. It also led me to be involved and take on an officer position as your technical lead last year. So, I encourage all of you to join and become active members of this club and be a part of our network. If you ever see me around campus or in our clubroom, please feel free to come talk to me about anything! Please email me regarding any concerns/questions.

Hey guys! I'm Steven Rispoli, your 2017-2018 AIAA Treasurer. I'm a 3rd year junior AE student and I'm excited to work with the other officers to make your SJSU AIAA experience a great one. I was born and raised in San Jose and have been at SJSU since Freshman year. Some of my hobbies include watching and playing sports when possible, particularly hockey and football, amateur photography of cars, and fishing in the Sierras. I'm hoping to work well with our other officers so we can provide our members a wide variety of engaging events to participate in and learn more about the aerospace industry. If you see me around campus or in class feel free to say hi! I'm always excited to meet our members and to get to know everyone!

Hello everyone. My name is Tyler Saunders and I am your AIAA secretary this year. I’m a senior aerospace engineering undergraduate student with a focus in spacecraft. This is my third year at SJSU after having transferred in 2015. I hope to help make your experience in AE and AIAA the best it can be.

Hey everyone! My name is Jeremiah Montemayor, and I am incredibly excited to be your Event Coordinator this year! I was born in Brooklyn, New York but raised on Staten Island. I am in my fifth and final year finishing up my degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Applied and Computational Mathematics. With these two disciplines, my goal is to work as an Applied Mathematician and specialize in Computational Fluid Dynamics. My hobbies include playing basketball, rock climbing, hiking, and playing guitar.

I came to San Jose State my freshmen year, and I certainly love being here. Finding this professional organization has exposed me to many different aerospace opportunities and connected me with my fellow aerospace classmates. AIAA has also helped me obtain an internship at Space Systems/Loral (SSL), which is where I currently work, and receive guidance from several mentors who are now in the aerospace industry. Therefore, I hope you can find meaningful connections with this outstanding organization as well.

Hello! My name is Kiana Luongo and I am your PR (Public Relations) Officer for AIAA. My job is to dispense all information about our club events through platforms such as email and to keep in contact with other organizations. I am currently a 3rd year as SJSU and my field of choice is Aeronautics! I have a huge interest in aircraft design and I hope to one day help develop the airplanes of the future at a large company such as Lockheed Martin or Boeing.

Hi everybody! I’m Christian Espinoza, this year’s AIAA Project Manager. I’m from Delano, CA, the second hottest place we know of, trailing behind the sun. That statement also sums up my personality very well, so we are one-third acquainted now. Out of high school I initially went to the Academy of Art to study Visual Effects. A semester into my study, while seeing the progress being made by New Space companies, I realized that although I was passionate about my art, it did not give me the same gratification as knowing that I could be a part of our journey to space. 5 years later, I am a second-year transfer set on graduating in Spring 2018.

Transferring to SJSU I lacked projects and resume-worthy experience, so I made it my mission to become as involved as possible. A year later, I have managed to become a part of some amazing groups. In AIAA, I have utilized my art skills to help coordinate an AIAA regional conference. Experience that I gained from rocket club, served to help in the USRC 3-stage project. And, I have also found myself as Aerodynamics lead of the Spartan Hyperloop team. My goal is to help you become involved and competitive, all the while learning new technical skills.

Hello everyone! My name is Eduardo Marchan and I’m a senior at SJSU. Access to Club Room means access to clubroom entitlements. My goals are to provide advice and assistance to whoever may need it. Stop by Engr-240 and check out the snacks that are available and stay for the conversation. At Engr-240 you are always welcomed.

Michael Sandoval

Clubroom Manager

Hello everyone, my name is Michael Sandoval and I am the clubroom manager for this school year! I am an aerospace engineering, 4th-year undergrad, and I want to have a career focus on propulsion systems or spacecraft design. My ultimate goal is to go to Mars, and maybe I’ll see some of you there someday. But for now, be sure to come by the AIAA clubroom (ENGR 240) to study, eat some snacks, or to network with your fellow Aerospace colleagues.

AIAA Support Officers

Kayla Parcero

Support Events Coordinator

Hi everyone, I’m Kayla Parcero. I am a transfer student in my junior year and will be your supporting officer in Event Coordinating this year. This is my first year at SJSU so I am so grateful that AIAA has welcomed me with open arms. I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, but have come to love and appreciate what the Bay Area has to offer. I am enthusiastic about being part of this great community and I am eager to get to know everyone through the attendance of our great events!

Ian Prado de Besemer

Support Public Relations

Hi everyone, I’m Ian Prado de Besemer and I am the support officer for Public Relations this school year. I am very excited to be in this role and look forward to meeting many of our AIAA members during our events. I’m a fourth year at SJSU studying Aerospace Engineering, will be graduating May 2019. I was born on Santa Clara but grew up in SoCal with my mother. Hobbies include, flying, traveling, and cooking.

Fernando Ferreira

Support Industry Contact

Hi everyone! My name is Fernando Ferreira and I am very excited to be this year’s Industry Support Officer. I was born and raised in Irvine, California and came to San Jose State as freshman. Currently, I am a third-year student on a fifth-year plan to complete my Aerospace Engineering Major with hopes of specializing in Materials and Propulsion sciences. I love hiking, swimming, and discovering new music, so if you have some nice tunes send them my way!

I didn’t start my freshman year as an Aerospace Engineering student, and only recently transferred into the major. AIAA has been inspiring me from day 1 here at SJSU. Working with motivated student members and mentors has created a networking system that has helped me with many projects and concepts. Last year, I had the privilege of being the Industry Contact for AIAA Region 6 Student Conference, where I got to invite some really cool distinguished speakers. AIAA has offered me the opportunity to network to people and companies I would not have had been able to outreach to otherwise. I encourage you to come by our clubroom ENGR 240 and talk to one of our Officer or Club-members to see what it’s all about! Or stop by one of our events and I’m sure you’ll be inspired as I was.